The fence exploded inward.
Metal screeched as the rogue Lycan slammed against it again, claws digging deep into the iron bars. The entire structure bent under the creature's strength.
Students screamed and scattered across the courtyard.
Teachers shouted for everyone to run.
But Elara couldn't move.
Those glowing red eyes were locked onto her.
The world felt strangely quiet for a moment, as if everything else had disappeared.
"Elara!"
Lucien's voice snapped her back to reality.
"Run. Now."
She shook her head, panic rising in her chest. "What is that thing?"
Lucien stepped in front of her, his posture suddenly different.
Protective.
Dangerous.
"It's a rogue Lycan," he said quietly.
The creature snarled, revealing long, jagged teeth as it forced its body through the broken fence.
Students near the gate screamed and ran.
The rogue's eyes never left Elara.
Lucien cursed under his breath.
"It can smell your blood."
"My blood?" she whispered.
"Yes."
The rogue lunged forward.
Lucien moved faster.
He shoved Elara behind him and his eyes flashed a sudden, unnatural gold.
For a split second, his pupils sharpened like a predator's.
"Elara," he said calmly, though his voice carried an edge of steel. "You need to leave. Now."
"I'm not leaving you!"
"You don't have a choice."
The rogue Lycan charged again, claws tearing through the courtyard pavement.
Lucien's fingers curled slightly.
And then—
His claws appeared.
Not fully transformed.
But enough.
The rogue stopped suddenly.
Its nose twitched.
Recognition.
A low growl rolled from its throat.
Lucien stepped forward slowly.
"If you value your miserable life," he said coldly, "you'll turn around."
The rogue snarled in response.
It lunged.
Lucien met it halfway.
The impact echoed through the courtyard like thunder.
Students gasped as the two figures crashed against the ground.
Lucien moved with terrifying speed, striking the rogue across the jaw and sending it skidding across the pavement.
For a moment—
The entire school courtyard went silent.
The rogue slowly stood again.
But this time…
It hesitated.
Its red eyes flickered between Lucien and Elara.
Lucien's voice dropped into something darker.
"Run," he told Elara again without looking back.
This time—
She listened.
As she turned to flee, the pendant around her neck burned suddenly.
A pulse of strange energy spread through her chest.
Behind her, the rogue Lycan let out a furious howl.
Not at Lucien.
At her.
Elara stumbled to a stop.
A terrifying realization filled her mind.
It wasn't attacking the school.
It wasn't hunting randomly.
It came for her